Bucs Nation - Buccaneers deal with MRSA, Lawrence Tynes files grievanceA Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog - Fire Those Cannons!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48049/bucs-fave.png2015-04-06T18:30:01-04:00http://www.bucsnation.com/rss/stream/44126572015-04-06T18:30:01-04:002015-04-06T18:30:01-04:00Tynes sues Bucs over MRSA
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> still haven't gotten past the ravages of the Greg Schiano regime. The latest: kicker <span>Lawrence Tynes</span> is suing the team for over $20 million as a result of the 2013 MRSA outbreak that saw Tynes' NFL career effectively end. <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bucs/ex-kicker-lawrence-tynes-sues-bucs-over-mrsa-infection/2224365">Via the Tampa Bay Times</a>:</p>
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<p>Tynes' lawsuit, filed Monday in Broward County Circuit Court, claims that "unsanitary conditions" at the Bucs' facility constituted negligence on the team's part, and that the team "failed to disclose and actively concealed ongoing incidents of infection" among other people at the facility. Tynes was paid his full salary of $905,000 by the Bucs in 2013 after the team placed him on the "non-football injury" list.</p>
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<p>Rick Stroud <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLSTROUD/status/585203394429739008">further noted</a> that Tynes claims the Bucs "failed to employ necessary sterile techniques and routinely left therapy devices, equipment and surfaces unclean." Further, <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLSTROUD/status/585206136984510465">Stroud says</a> Tynes claims that trainer Todd Toriscelli, now with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.musiccitymiracles.com/">Tennessee Titans</a>, had MRSA.</p>
<p>The Bucs suffered the MRSA outbreak back in 2013, which led to major infection for both <span>Carl Nicks</span> and Lawrence Tynes. Neither player has played football since. The Bucs released Nicks prior to last season, while Tynes was placed on the non-football injury list and paid his full salary for the 2013 season.</p>
<p>At the time, the Bucs <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-related">brought in</a> Dr. Deverick J. Anderson of Duke Infection Control Outreach Network to explain that Tynes' and Nicks' infections were separate strains contracted in different instances, and that the Bucs were operating a safe environment. It seems that kind of testimony would come in handy for the Bucs now that they, you know, have an actual lawsuit on their hands.</p>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2015/4/6/8356539/lawrence-tynes-sues-buccaneers-over-mrsa-incidentSander Philipse2013-10-15T16:43:20-04:002013-10-15T16:43:20-04:00Carl Nicks has surgery
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to be without their star left guard for a little longer. </p> <p><span>Carl Nicks</span> has had surgery to rid himself of the last vestiges of a MRSA infection on his foot, <a href="http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/source-carl-nicks-undergoing-surgery-today/">according to Jenna Laine of Sports Talk Florida</a>. After apparently getting rid of the infection a few weeks ago, he suffered a recurrence last week. The fact that he required surgery likely means that the infection was still in the bone. Laine mentions that there is no time table for his return, which means we don't know for how many games he'll be out, if any.</p>
<p>With Nicks out, <span>Ted Larsen</span> replaced him at left guard last game while <span>Gabe Carimi</span> was recovering from mono. Carimi appears to be the better player of the two and is likely to take over as soon as he's fully healthy.</p>
<p>With Johnthan Banks suffering from MRSA but having been cleared to play, hopefully this whole MRSA drama is finally over. Then again, that's what I said a few weeks ago, too.</p>
<h4>More from Bucs Nation:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/15/4841436/mark-dominik-general-manager-buccaneers?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Mark Dominik's job should not be secure with the Buccaneers</a></li>
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https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/15/4842270/carl-nicks-injury-buccaneers-guard-surgery-mrsaSander Philipse2013-10-12T20:13:23-04:002013-10-12T20:13:23-04:00Banks cleared to play vs. Eagles
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<figcaption>Winslow Townson</figcaption>
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<p><span>Johnthan Banks</span> has been cleared to play against the Philadelphia. The NFL and NFLPA issued a joint statement saying as much regarding the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> cornerback.</p>
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<p>"The NFL and NFLPA have worked together in response to the MRSA matter in Tampa Bay. The jointly retained specialist has met with the team, supervised the inspection of the facilities, conducted medical examinations and agrees with the team medical staff that Mr. Banks does not pose a risk of transmission to other players. The specialist also met with team officials from the <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a>. All players have been advised of the process and we will continue to work together to jointly monitor the situation."</p>
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<p>The fact that an independent medical expert and the NFLPA all agree that Banks should be cleared to play is a strong signal showing that this isn't the team or player creating an unsafe situation. Rather, Banks does not pose a safety risk to other players.</p>
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<a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-related">
<h2>MRSA expert: Bucs facility safe</h2>
<img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21022409/gyi0061195225.0_standard_352.0.jpg"></a> <span>The Bucs brought in an independent expert to review the team's practices and explain the situation to the players and the media. We have all the details, and the statements should answer many of your questions.</span>
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<p>Banks' infection was caught early and he was treated swiftly, which probably helped in the matter. There has been no such statement on <span>Carl Nicks</span>, whose MRSA recurred this week and is likely to remain inactive against the Eagles. With Banks on the field, the team's pass defense should be given a boost as the Buccaneers won't be forced to give their undrafted rookie defensive backs significant playing time.</p>
<p>In addition, the medical expert apparently found no evidence that the MRSA infections came from within the Bucs' facility, and instead found that there was "substantial evidence" that the infections came from outside the team's facility, <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/389176182606159872">Ian Rapoport reports</a>.</p>
<p>So far it appears that the Bucs have responded quickly to this outbreak of MRSA and followed proper medical procedure in every instance. In short: they were unlucky, but there is no real systemic problem in Tampa.</p>
<h4>More from Bucs Nation:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/12/4831410/michael-vick-definitely-out-against-buccaneers-for-eagles-with?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Michael Vick 'definitely' out against Buccaneers for Eagles with hamstring injury</a></li>
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</ul>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/12/4832330/johnthan-banks-cleared-to-play-against-eagles-despite-mrsa-infectionSander Philipse2013-10-12T10:53:18-04:002013-10-12T10:53:18-04:00Bucs vs. Eagles will go ahead
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Two Tampa Bay Buccaneers are suffering from a MRSA infection, but there appears to be no additional risk to players.</p> <p>The game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> will not be cancelled, <a href="https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/389035868540792832">according to Ian Rapoport.</a> MRSA is not believed to be an issue in the Bucs' stadium facility, and there appears to be little reason to believe that there would be any additional risk to the players.</p>
<p><span>Carl Nicks</span> suffered a recurrence of MRSA earlier this week, while <span>Johnthan Banks</span> was also infected. It's not clear whether either will player will suit up on Sunday. Neither of them has been ruled out, but they will only be allowed to be play if cleared by outside "discussion groups", which include the NFLPA.</p>
<p>This basically confirms <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-related">everything we've heard from the medical experts in the matter</a>. MRSA is a very difficult disease to get out of your system, but the Buccaneers players or opposing aren't currently in any more danger than they normally are, despite the occurrence of three MRSA infections. Essentially, the Bucs appear to have just been unlucky that this happened in their facilities.</p>
<p>So, it's game on for tomorrow. Can the Buccaneers get their first win against the Eagles tomorrow? The game kicks off at 1:00 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium.</p>
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</ul>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/12/4830816/eagles-vs-buccaneers-will-be-played-mrsa-not-believed-to-be-a-riskSander Philipse2013-10-11T16:07:23-04:002013-10-11T16:07:23-04:00Banks could play, Nicks might require surgery
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers might have Johnthan Banks, but Carl Nicks could be out for an extended period.</p> <p>Dr. Deverick Anderson said <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-related">in talking to the Bucs media</a> that in cases like <span>Carl Nicks</span>, where the infection recurs repeatedly, surgery may be required to get rid of MRSA. While he couldn't speak to Nicks' case specifically, he did note that Nicks' infection on his foot was at one point in the bone.</p>
<p>While it's possible that Carl Nicks would require surgery down the line, it's more likely that they opt for another round of strong antibiotics given the fact that there was a good response last time. Of course, the fact that he likely wouldn't be able to play quickly if he had surgery would play a role in that decision. It all depends on whether the infection is still in the bone, which is an unknown at this point.</p>
<p>Nicks is almost certain to miss Sunday's game, but <span>Johnthan Banks</span> might actually play, <a href="https://twitter.com/alexmarvez/status/388737723680305152">according to Alex Marvez</a> of Fox Sports. The cornerback has been infected with MRSA but it was caught early, which means it should be easier to eradicate. Still, it seems unlikely that he'd play just four days after being diagnosed with MRSA.</p>
<p>Mark Dominik noted in today's press conference that the Buccaneers would not be the arbiters of whether or not a player would be allowed to return to play. The player himself would have to feel ready, of course, but he would also have to be medically signed off by "discussion panels" that include the NFLPA and NFL.</p>
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<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-related?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">MRSA expert says Buccaneers Tynes and Nicks MRSA cases not related, team facilities safe</a></li>
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https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828804/buccaneers-johnthan-banks-could-play-vs-eagles-carl-nicks-mightSander Philipse2013-10-11T15:41:40-04:002013-10-11T15:41:40-04:00MRSA expert: Bucs facility safe
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<figcaption>J. Meric</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought in an outside expert to talk about MRSA, and he clarified that the Bucs were unlucky to contract MRSA three times.</p> <p>According to Dr. Deverick J. Anderson of the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are operating a safe environment. Anderson was invited by the Buccaneers to explain the medical side of the latest outbreak in front of the media.</p>
<p>One reason for Anderson's belief that the Bucs have a safe environment is the fact that Lawrence Tynes and Carl Nicks apparently contracted MRSA separately. "We can actually definitively say that the first two cases were really not related to each other," Anderson said. "The probabilities are that because these are different organism, you would not think that there's a single source, what we call a point source outbreak, necessarily. These are more than, as a result, likely related to essentially, in some ways, the day-to-day activities that all of us do. You know, skin-to-skin contact, things like that."</p>
<p>"We know that football players are at higher risk because not only do they have a great deal of skin-to-skin contact just because of their occupation, but they also have a lot of skin breakdown. The reality is that probably all of us get exposed to MRSA pretty regularly, but because we have intact skin we don't run into any problems with it. When you combine MRSA exposure and then subsequent issues with skin, or perhaps as in one of the cases a surgical procedure, then that's where you can get into some trouble."</p>
<h3>A safe environment</h3>
<p>"I believe that it is a safe environment for players and staff," Anderson said. "Based on my observations, I didn't think there was anything very high risk. I think that football in and of itself is a known risk factor for MRSA and MRSA infection in general. So the fact that a case or even two and now three cases occurred does not necessarily in and of itself mean that this is any higher risk than any other football location in the country."</p>
<p>Anderson speculated that the extra vigilance may have caused the team to identify a case that would otherwise have gone undetected. "MRSA is very common and there are several practices that occur that make you more likely to identify it. If you cultured every single skin infection that happened then you would find MRSA. So I think that to some extent it is related to culturing practices, which is from a clinical perspective a very good thing; you want to know what you're dealing with."</p>
<p>That doesn't mean that the Buccaneers are not going to act to make the facility safer, but drastic steps aren't necessary according to Anderson. "We have some specific what we call 'source control' that we perform on the players themselves using a disinfectant for the skin. But no, I don't think another treatment of the facility is required."</p>
<h3>Carl Nicks' treatment</h3>
<p>With a recurrence of MRSA in Carl Nicks' case, the question is whether the Bucs were in any way negligent in their response. Anderson was satisfied that the Bucs treated him effectively and did not return him to the field too early. "[His treatment] seemed fairly reasonable. These were very high-powered antibiotics for a very long period of time. We typically do not do major follow-up testing. That is to say you don't have to demonstrate that you've got MRSA eliminated from the skin. Instead you're looking for how do his signs and symptoms improve."</p>
<p>"It is myy understanding from talking to the physician that was caring from him that his foot tremendously improved, and essentially that's the kind of criteria that we would use to say okay, can someone return to work. Not just NFL necessarily, but work in general. There are specific policies say in a hospital setting that we would use to dictate when a person could come back to work after an MRSA infection. He would have met those criteria."</p>
<p>One issue was that MRSA got into the bone with Carl Nicks, Anderson said. "It is not uncommon at all for it to recur. The reality is that oftentimes when MRSA gets into the bone then antibiotic therapy alone is not enough to actually cure it. Typically in that scenario, that is where you've tried antibiotic therapy and it continues to recur, that indicates that you may require a surgical procedure to definitively remove that infection."</p>
<p>Overall, it seems like the Buccaneers have done a good job of dealing with the infection, although it's dubious that they were sluggish in informing everyone else outside their building on these matters. That has greatly improved with this second outbreak, and Anderson made it clear that the Bucs and their players were unlucky to contract MRSA. It should not be a long-term issue for the team and hopefully the players will be able to get through this ordeal swiftly and with their health intact.</p>
<h4>More from Bucs Nation:</h4>
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<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828302/johnthan-banks-contracts-mrsa-third-buccaneer-infected?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Johnthan Banks contracts MRSA, third Buccaneer infected</a></li>
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</ul>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828420/mrsa-expert-says-buccaneers-tynes-and-nicks-mrsa-cases-not-relatedSander Philipse2013-10-11T14:41:30-04:002013-10-11T14:41:30-04:00Bucs vs. Eagles unlikely to be cancelled
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<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may receive a second consecutive bye week, but that seems unlikely at this point. </p> <p>With the recent MRSA outbreak at One Buccaneer Place, people have begun asking questions about the game between the <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> and <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Eagles</a> on Sunday. The NFLPA is awaiting the medical report on the situation and could advise to cancel the game, according to Trey Wingo of ESPN. However, that seems exceedingly unlikely.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p>NFLPA tells <a href="https://twitter.com/wingoz">@wingoz</a> depending on what MRSA containment report says, the NFLPA could advise Bucs-Eagles not to play this weekend.</p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/statuses/388733720393289728">October 11, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><i>(ed.: changed that tweet to point to the correct Twitter account for Trey Wingo)</i></p>
<p>The NFLPA can advise, but they can't cancel games. Moreover, this infection does not appear to be serious enough to be a threat to the health of other players.</p>
<p>The Buccaneers held a press conference today with Dr. Deverick J. Anderson of the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, who stated that the team facilities would not need to be scrubbed down again. Anderson believes the Buccaneers run a safe work environment and that they were essentially unlucky to see three cases of MRSA in the facility.</p>
<p>If that is the case, and there's little reason to not believe the outside expert specializing in this disease, then the risk of playing a game on Sunday should be minimal to non-existent. While the game could be cancelled, it seems exceedingly unlikely that that will happen.</p>
<p>If the game goes ahead, the Bucs and Eagles will kick off at 1:00 PM ET at Raymond James Stadium.</p>
<h4>More from Bucs Nation:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828302/johnthan-banks-contracts-mrsa-third-buccaneer-infected?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Johnthan Banks contracts MRSA, third Buccaneer infected</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828186/buccaneers-suffer-third-mrsa-victim-per-report?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Buccaneers suffer third MRSA victim, per report</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827196/bucs-eagles-big-darn-preview?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bucs - Eagles Big Darn Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827502/eagles-vs-buccaneers-five-questions-with-bleeding-green-nation?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Eagles vs. Buccaneers: Five questions with Bleeding Green Nation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827172/daily-bucs-links-nicks-has-mrsa-again?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Daily Bucs Links: Nicks has MRSA again</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828508/eagles-vs-buccaneers-could-be-cancelled-over-mrsa-but-thats-verySander Philipse2013-10-11T13:12:25-04:002013-10-11T13:12:25-04:00Third Buccaneer felled by MRSA
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WKzy3m7XUTXLCFjRaofhwqnM1dU=/0x453:3591x2847/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/21014301/20130922_pjc_ae5_344.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have yet another victim of MRSA to report.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> have a third victim of MRSA this year, <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLSTROUD/status/388710344769536000">Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports</a>. <span>Lawrence Tynes</span> and <span>Carl Nicks</span> were sidelined earlier this season with the drug-resistant staph infection. Tynes was lost for the season and <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/9/1/4682336/lawrence-tynes-slams-buccaneers-files-grievance-over-mrsa-infection">has filed a grievance</a> against the Bucs for their handling of his injury, while Carl Nicks missed a couple of games before <a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/10/4825150/carl-nicks-injury-buccaneers-guard-suffers-mrsa-recurrence">suffering a recurrence</a> this week.</p>
<p>The likely victim this time is <span>Johnthan Banks</span>, who was not at practice today but has had no reported injury. If it is Banks, the already injury-depleted cornerback group just got a little worse. The Bucs have been giving two undrafted rookies playing time this season after injuries felled <span>Michael Adams</span> and <span>Danny Gorrer</span>, although both are expected to return to action in a few weeks.</p>
<p>We'll have more after 1:45 PM ET, when the Buccaneers are holding a press conference with the Duke Infection Control Outreach Center to address the MRSA issue.</p>
<h4>More from Bucs Nation:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827196/bucs-eagles-big-darn-preview?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Bucs - Eagles Big Darn Preview</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827502/eagles-vs-buccaneers-five-questions-with-bleeding-green-nation?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Eagles vs. Buccaneers: Five questions with Bleeding Green Nation</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4827172/daily-bucs-links-nicks-has-mrsa-again?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Daily Bucs Links: Nicks has MRSA again</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/10/4825698/thursday-night-open-thread-giants-at-bears?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thursday Night Open Thread: Giants at Bears</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/10/4825298/wallace-gilberry-calls-greg-schiano-a-joke-says-buccaneers-felt-like?utm_source=bucsnation&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Wallace Gilberry calls Greg Schiano a "joke", says Buccaneers felt like "high school program"</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/10/11/4828186/buccaneers-suffer-third-mrsa-victim-per-reportSander Philipse